Scotland up to 5th in the World Rankings after win over Wales

Scotland’s 29-13 win over Wales, their first win over the Welsh for 10 years, puts them above France, South Africa and Wales in the World Rugby Rankings to a new high, beating their previous top ranking of 7th. They came from 9-13 behind at the break to score 20 unanswered points thanks to tries by wingers Tim Visser and Tommy Seymour and the boot of man-of-the-match Finn Russell. With Ireland beating France 19-9 it means that the Irish, Scotland and England are the favourites to battle it out for the Championship, and a mouth-watering prospect of Scotland going to Twickenham on March 11th with the winner taking the Triple Crown. Vern Cotter’s men have reached new heights since he took over and with it being 34 years since Scotland last won at Twickenham against the Auld Enemy surely the Class of 2017 with their fearless mindset and confidence will be capable of taking the biggest of scalps in the Northern Hemisphere.

Last night in the Booker Border League Gala’s 40-12 win at Peebles and Melrose’s win at Jedforest 12-6 with a team of mainly second string and young players due to the vast amount unavailable to them because of age grade and club international selection, means that Melrose are through to the Border League Final when it takes place in April or May. They will face either Gala or Hawick. If Hawick beat Selkirk in the remaining fixture in their Pool by over 18 points and collect a 4-try bonus point it will be them who go through. Anything less than that and it will be Gala advancing.